Four people were arrested late Saturday after Salt Lake City Police Department said demonstrators outside a warehouse purchased for a proposed ICE detention center interfered with a nearby traffic stop. Police said the protesters refused to move back after officers repeatedly told them to clear the area.
Traffic Stop Clash Outside Proposed ICE Warehouse
According to Salt Lake City police, officers pulled over a vehicle about 8:30 p.m. Saturday near 5700 West and 300 South for a minor traffic violation. They say they learned the driver was in the area to support protesters gathered at the warehouse at 6020 W. 300 South. The driver had only a learner’s permit, police say, and was given a citation and released. The sequence of events comes from a booking affidavit described by KSL.
Arrests, Alleged Weapons And Charges
Police say several protesters approached the traffic stop and ignored repeated commands to stay back, leading to four arrests. The booking affidavit, cited by KSL, states that the behavior "put the officer's safety at risk."
Authorities allege a 34-year-old man resisted arrest and had a concealed handgun, a 26-year-old man was carrying an out-the-front tactical switchblade, and a 20-year-old woman refused orders to disperse and ran after being told to sit down. A 29-year-old woman is accused of grabbing an officer. All four were booked on investigation of obstruction of justice and wearing a mask with intent to commit a crime, and three of them were also booked on suspicion of rioting and interfering with police.
Warehouse Purchase And Steady Protests
The warehouse at 6020 W. 300 South was bought by the federal government in March, a roughly $145 million purchase that has drawn weeks of protests and scrutiny from city officials. Local leaders’ objections and the details of the sale have been reported by outlets including public radio station KUER and by a local report on the mystery megawarehouse by the SLC airport. Small but steady gatherings have continued at the site, with organizers promoting weekly "Warehouse Wednesday" events and evening demonstrations to protest plans for an ICE detention facility.
Legal Note
The weekend arrests are currently bookings for investigation, and prosecutors will decide whether to file formal charges. Obstruction of justice is defined under Utah Code 76-8-306 as conduct intended to hinder or delay an investigation (Utah Code 76-8-306), and Salt Lake City municipal code bars wearing a mask with the intent to commit a crime (Salt Lake City code 11.12.110). How prosecutors handle the case will likely depend on witness statements, officers’ reports and any video from the scene.
What's Next
Police and prosecutors have not yet announced charging decisions, and the outcome may hinge on video evidence and witness accounts. National reporting on similar anti-ICE protests shows that prosecutions can range from aggressive to almost nonexistent, with many charges ultimately dropped or scaled back, according to an investigation by ProPublica. Local demonstrators say they plan to keep gathering at the warehouse site.
